UNC Football: Tar Heels shock FSU on game-winning field goal

UNC stuns the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium as they move to 2-0 on the year in the ACC

Wow.

Just wow. That’s really all I can say about the North Carolina Tar Heels’ 37-35 win over Florida State on Saturday.

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The game gave you almost all of the emotions it possibly could in the final minutes and it was glorious.

Kicker Nick Weiler connected on a 54-yard field goal as time expired to give the Tar Heels the victory, snapping a 22-game home win streak for the Seminoles.

After UNC scored on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Mitch Trubisky to Thomas Jackson with just over two minutes left, the Weiler missed the extra point. The Seminoles then marched down the field to score a touchdown with 23 seconds left.

Facing a 35-34 deficit, Trubisky hit Mack Hollins for a big reception on the first play of the drive. He missed Ryan Switzer on another attempt, setting up a tough situation for the Tar Heels. Just 9 seconds to go and still in their own territory, Trubisky’s next pass was incomplete.

But the Seminoles were flagged for pass interference with 4 seconds left.

After minutes of nervousness, Weiler turned that feeling into excitement as he connected on the 54-yard field goal and the Tar Heels celebrated.

For the Tar Heels, it was the big win the football team had been trying to get for years now. It’s not easy going into Doak Campbell stadium and winning against Florida State. There’s a reason why they had won 22-straight there.

But UNC did it and did it in spectacular fashion.

The Tar Heels were led offensively by Trubisky who had another good game. He finished 31-of-38 with 405 yards and 3 touchdowns. He didn’t record a single turnover and led UNC on six scoring drives.

Senior running back T.J. Logan continued his strong play, scoring two touchdowns in the game.

Getting out to a 21-0 lead was also big for the Tar Heels. Despite blowing a chance to take a big lead into halftime on an Elijah Hood fumble, UNC had a 21-7 going into the break.

UNC’s defense also had a nice showing early.

The Seminoles couldn’t muster much offense against the Tar Heels defense, which blocked a field goal on the opening drive. They held the Seminoles to just 7 first half points and didn’t allow the big plays to Dalvin Cook.

Things changed a bit in the second half, which drew some concerns. On the final Seminoles scoring drive, UNC’s defense had them backed up in their own territory.

But quarterback Deondre Francois put together a nice drive, alluding two UNC defenders to get the touchdown late in the game.

With the win, UNC is now 2-0 in the ACC and is tied with Miami atop the Coastal Division. The two teams are set to meet in two weeks, but first UNC must get by Virginia Tech at home next week.

Check back with Keeping It Heel for more on the Tar Heels big win over Florida State.